Toy building block

ABSTRACT

Each block of a set of blocks is formed as a cube with an integrally connected half cube section, so that, two blocks can be nested together to form a rectangle. Each block may be hollow and provided with a dowel receiving aperture in each plane surface. Short dowels or pins may be lodged in adjacent apertures to removably fasten adjacent blocks together.

United States Paten [191 Loth [451 Dec, 17,1974

[ TOY BUILDING BLOCK [76] Inventor: Richard Bert Loth, 424 Sowams Rd., Harrington, RI 02806 [22] Filed: Nov. 3, 1972 [21] App]. No.: 303,524

[52] U.S. Cl. 46/26 [51] Int. Cl A63h 33/10 [58] Field of Search 46/16, 17, 25, 26, 24

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,636,230 l/l972 Tacey 46/26 X 3,672,681 6/1972 Wolf 46/26 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 420,349 11/1934 Great Britain 46/24 Primary Examiner-Robert Peshock Assistant Examiner-J. Q. Lever Attorney, Agent, or Firm-William Frederick Werner 5 7 ABSTRACT Each block of a set of blocks is formed as a cube with an integrally connected half cube section, so that, two blocks can be nested together to form a rectangle. Each block may be hollow and provided with a dowel receiving aperture in each plane surface. Short dowels or pins may be lodged in adjacent apertures to removably fasten adjacent blocks together.

4 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures TOY BUILDING BLOCK This invention relates to modular design blocks and, more particularly, to a set of blocks of novel construction which can be nested together to form a multiplicity of different patterns.

An object of the present invention is to provide a set of blocks for easy construction, and taking apart by children, so they can create an infinite variety of designs and thereby exercise creative ability and amusement.

Another object of the present invention is to provide blocks for building furniture and the like, which is light in weight, for easy handling by children, strong, and inexpensive to manufacture, without limitation as to the material used to fabricate the blocks.

Other objects of the present invention will become apparent in part and be pointed out in part in the following specification and claims.

Referring to the drawings in which similar characters of reference refer to like parts:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of two blocks nested together;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the blocks of FIG. 1, shown taken apart;

FIG. 3 is a vertical cross sectional view taken on line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view, partially broken away, showing a structure which may be made by connecting a plurality of blocks of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a view, similar to FIG. 4', showinganother structure which may be made by connecting a plurality of blocks of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a dowel or connecting pin.

Referring to the drawings, the new and improved toy building block comprises a geometric modular figure having eight sides, generally indicated by reference numeral 10. A back side 11, square in shape and having an area created by a selected unit of measure, which may be approximately (by way of explanation and not limitation) 12 inches on each side of the square when used as childrens furniture and approximately 3 inches on each side of the square when used as a building block. A top side 12 square in shape and at right angles to said back side 11 and having an area equal to the area of said back side 11. A bottom 13 opposite and parallel to said top side 12 and at right angles to said back side 11, rectangular in shape and equal to twice the area of said top side 12. A platform face 14, square in shape and equal in area to said top side 12, parallel and opposite to said bottom 13. An end wall 15 opposite and parallel to said back side 11 and located at right angles to said top side 12 and platform face 14. Said end wall 15 being rectangular in shape and having an area approximately two thirds of the area of said back side 11, to provide a recess area of cut-out in said block 10. A front wall 16 parallel to said back side 11 and end wall 15 and at right angles to both said platform face 14 and bottom 13. A left side 17 perpendicular to said top side 12, and bottom 13, platform face 14,

end wall 15, back side 11 and front wall 16. A right side 18 opposite and parallel to left side 17.

A plurality of aperatures 20 are provided with at least one aperature in each of the eight sides. A dowel or pin 21 is adapted to be inserted into two adjacent aperatures 20 as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.

Building block 10 may be fabricated from any structural material. When plastic is used and the module block 10 molded, a core may be used to provide a hollow area or chamber 25, as shown in FIG. 3.

In use, a multiple number of blocks 10 as shown in FIG. 2, may be nested as shown in FIG. 1 or blocks 10 may be arranged in creative fashion as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 with pins 21 removably inserted in aligned aperatures to removably secure the blocks 10 together.

Having shown and described a preferred embodiment of the present invention by way of example, it should be realized that structural changes could be made and other examples given without departing from either the spirit or scope of this invention.

What I claim is:

1. A set of blocks, each block of which comprises a geometric figure having eight sides, a back side square in shape and having an area with a selected unit of measure, a top side square in shape and at right angles to said back side and having an area equal to the area of said back side, a bottom opposite and parallel to said top side and at right angles to said back side, rectangular in shape and equal to twice the area of said top side, a platform face, square in shape and equal in area to said top side, parallel and opposite to said bottom, an end wall opposite and parallel to said back side and located at right angles to said top side and platform face, said end wall being rectangular in shape and having an area approximately two-thirds of the area of said back side, to provide a recess area in said block, a front wall parallel to said back side and end wall and at right angles to both said platform face and bottom, a left side perpendicular to both said top side and bottom and a right side opposite and parallel to said left side.

2. The structure of claim 1 wherein a plurality of apperatures are provided, at least one in each of the eight sides.

3. The structure of claim 1 wherein said toy building block is hollow.

4. A set of blocks, each block of which comprises the structure of claim 2, wherein a set of blocks form elements of a modular unit wherein said blocks nest together, dowel pins aligned and insertable in adjacent apertures of parallel blocks to removably secure said blocks together, whereby a multiplicity of different patterns can be formed. 

1. A set of blocks, each block of which comprises a geometric figure having eight sides, a back side square in shape and having an area with a selected unit of measure, a top side square in shape and at right angles to said back side and having an area equal to the area of said back side, a bottom opposite and parallel to said top side and at right angles to said back side, rectangular in shape and equal to twice the area of said top side, a platform face, square in shape and equal in area to said top side, parallel and opposite to said bottom, an end wall opposite and parallel to said back side and located at right angles to said top side and platform face, said end wall being rectangular in shape and having an area approximately two-thirds of the area of said back side, to provide a recess area in said block, a front wall parallel to said back side and end wall and at right angles to both said platform face and bottom, a left side perpendicular to both said top side and bottom and a right side opposite and parallel to said left side.
 2. The structure of claim 1 wherein a plurality of apperatures are provided, at least one in each of the eight sides.
 3. The structure of claim 1 wherein said toy building block is hollow.
 4. A set of blocks, each block of which comprises the structure of claim 2, wherein a set of blocks form elements of a modular unit wherein said blocks nest together, dowel pins aligned and insertable in adjacent apertures of parallel blocks to removably secure said blocks together, whereby a multiplicity of different patterns can be formed. 